Ch 67: Li Zicheng

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Chu Mo with confusion, remembering something.

“Imperial Ancestor, are you referring to… hmm? Those things that can’t be cultivated? How could those things be in the Inner Treasury? I moved them to the Imperial Academy, to let the people there study them.”

“……This.” Chu Mo was silent, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Emperor Chongzhen was stunned, and began to doubt himself, could it be that he had also done something wrong?!

……

Inside the Imperial Academy.

Under the guidance of an Imperial Academy scholar, Chu Mo entered a great hall, with a large number of documents neatly arranged all around.

“Imperial Ancestor, these are the only four Confucian books left over from the previous dynasty! As for the others around, they are the results of our research over the years.” The scholar respectfully said.

“I understand.” Chu Mo nodded slightly, then dismissed the scholar. There was no one else in the hall, obviously the Imperial Academy scholars had given up after researching for a long time without results.

Chu Mo directly began to browse through the four Confucian books, frowning, “There are no specific cultivation methods? Strange! And their names…”

The Analects, The Great Learning, Mencius, The Doctrine of the Mean… Aren’t these the Four Books from the Four Books and Five Classics?

After memorizing the contents, Chu Mo closed his eyes and began to expend his lifespan.

【In the tenth year, after savoring the Four Books over and over again, you deeply suspect whether these are just simple Confucian books? The kind that doesn’t contain the slightest bit of supernatural power. 】

【In the fiftieth year, you seem to vaguely perceive something, but you still can’t quite grasp it. The reason you can perceive it is because you discovered that the Heart-Mind Study has something in common with the Four Books. 】

【In the hundredth year, you finally understand that these books cannot simply be read literally, but one must travel the world and comprehend the principles of heaven and earth, perhaps then one can comprehend them.

You have already realized that Wang Yangming must have read these four books! In all likelihood, the Heart-Mind Study was born from these four books. 】

Chu Mo suddenly opened his eyes, “So that’s how it is? Only by becoming a sage can one appreciate the principles within them? Or rather, if one comprehends the principles, then one can be called a sage!”

Chu Mo didn’t believe that it was so difficult to cultivate Confucianism and Taoism during the Song dynasty.

At that time, those who were called sages were also rare, and because of the Song dynasty’s national strength and some problems with the sages themselves at that time, the recognition from later generations was not high.

So… it must only be the reason of heaven and earth!

“Then, I’ll first learn everything that the scholars have researched, and then deduce it.” Chu Mo surveyed the dense books around him and made a decision.

Of course, during the day, Chu Mo would still go to the Imperial Court to handle government affairs.

And so, five days later, Sun Chuanting hurriedly reported a piece of information to Chu Mo.

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Inside a hall.

“You’re saying that Li Zicheng has already approached Taiyuan?” Chu Mo held The Great Learning in one hand, looking at Sun Chuanting with some surprise.

“Imperial Ancestor, you must not underestimate Li Zicheng! Li Zicheng’s strength can be called first-rate in the world. The Farmer’s Three Fists and Two Kicks that he created, although the name is vulgar, its power is astonishing.” Sun Chuanting’s face tightened as memories surfaced, “Most importantly, he doesn’t know where he got a battle formation diagram, and forged a strong army in the world!”

“That strong army… is not inferior to my Qin army! Even, its staying power is even greater… especially after he bloodied Shaanxi and other places, and obtained a large number of resources!”

Sun Chuanting took a deep breath, “Please give the order immediately, I shall lead the Qin army…”

“No need for such trouble! I’ll be back soon.” Chu Mo was noncommittal, his figure disappearing from the spot in the next instant.

Sun Chuanting was stunned, and when he reacted, his expression changed drastically, “Imperial Ancestor, you must not! Your strength is certainly unparalleled in the world, but if the other party forms a battle formation, even you…”

However, there was no response from Chu Mo at the scene.

◈◈◈

Shanxi Taiyuan.

◈◈◈

Outside the city, Li Zicheng’s army had been stationed for a long time.

Li Zicheng stood with his hands behind his back, he was tall and slender, with strong hands and feet, and his eyes were filled with awe-inspiring divine light.

“General Liu, tell me about the Ming bandits’ intelligence.”

Li Zicheng’s general Liu Zongmin looked solemn, “If there are no surprises, it should still be the old opponent.”

“Sun Chuanting?” A hint of caution appeared in Li Zicheng’s eyes, then he sneered, “Didn’t the previous intelligence say that he was still in Kyoto? If he wants to rush over, especially leading an army! It will definitely take a not short amount of time… that’s enough for us to take Taiyuan!”

“In addition to this,” Liu Zongmin hesitated slightly, but still said in a low voice, “There seems to be a Divine Emperor reincarnation in Kyoto. This news has spread very widely! There are many merchants from the east with noses and eyes who say that that person is Emperor Chengzhu.”

“The old emperor is just making up rumors because he sees that the world is unstable.” Li Zicheng scoffed, then looked at the great city in front of him with fiery eyes, “Taiyuan! Once we take it, Yanjing will just be a piece of cake for us.”

As soon as these words came out, the surroundings were quiet, and the eyes of many generals flickered, and people’s hearts were restless.

“Hao Yaoqi!” With Li Zicheng’s order, a burly man walked out. It was the vanguard general!

“You go forward and persuade them to surrender! Shanxi Taiyuan should be the fief of the Prince of Jin?” Li Zicheng scratched his head and thought, “If he is willing to surrender, I can spare his life.”

“Yes.” Hao Yaoqi rushed towards the direction of Taiyuan City with an excited and frenzied expression.

A group of generals chatted casually, full of confidence in their victory.

It can’t be blamed on them for being so calm and confident, the Ming army they encountered since leaving Shaanxi was no match for them, the only trouble was Sun Chuanting, but isn’t Sun Chuanting not here now?

Suddenly, a terrifying aura that was difficult to describe in words suddenly erupted from afar.

“What is that?!”

“This feeling is…”

“Not good, the sky?!”

The expressions of the group led by Li Zicheng changed drastically. They stared blankly at the direction of the sky, the clouds were shattered, and the celestial phenomena changed.

“A Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert? How is that possible?” After Li Zicheng reacted, his expression changed drastically, and he suddenly shouted, “Not good, form the battle formation diagram!”

The surrounding generals only reacted at this time, their expressions panicked, and they quickly scattered.

The rebel army rioted for a moment, and under the command of the generals, quickly gathered into a group. A similarly terrifying aura suddenly rose… but Li Zicheng was not happy, his eyes filled with apprehension and worry.

The army can be countered with an army! When his rebel army is restrained…

He would have to lead many strong men in the army to fight against that terrifying Celestial Phenomenon. At that time, the result…

When did the Ming dynasty have such a strong man? The heavens are unfair!

Just as Li Zicheng was sad and angry, his gaze at the distance suddenly stagnated for a moment, because… he saw a young man grabbing Hao Yaoqi, wrapped in an aura that shook the celestial phenomena, walking calmly towards where he was.

Subconsciously rubbing his eyes, that’s right, the other party was indeed alone?!

This is the Celestial Phenomenon of the Ming dynasty?!!

“Heaven is helping me!” Li Zicheng was overjoyed, and shouted loudly, his voice shaking dozens of miles around, clearly audible to hundreds of thousands of soldiers, “All soldiers, listen to my order, form the Demon Slaying Formation! At all costs, capture or kill that person!”

It is difficult for two hands to fight against four opponents, war is never a one-on-one thing! If not, the Ming Taizu would not have needed to gather an army, and could have established the world with his own strength…

However…

Chu Mo traversed the sky, sensing the terrifying military power, his expression unchanged, his eyes suddenly condensed. The terrifying luck on his body boiled out of thin air at this moment, merging with his domain… actually condensing into a terrifying giant Buddha that reached the sky behind him!